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method of defence would be to extinguish the four leading lights and the lights on the gas buoys, and so prevent a ship proceeding up the channel without a pilot. Arrange- ments could be made for the lights to be shown on an agreed signal by the pilot if it should be decided to allow the ship to enter the harbour. It is not considered advisable to extinguish Walney Light, owing to the importance of the light as an aid to the navigation of the coast and for approach to Morecambe Bay.

By day, gun-fire would be the only available defence against this form of attack. My Lords request that you will lay the above remarks before the Home Ports Defence Committee with a view to their considering whether it would be desirable to place one or more 6-inch guns on Walney Point.

The Secretary,

Home Ports Defence Committee,

2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W.

I am, &c.

C. I. THOMAS.

1

APPENDIX III.

THE approximate cost of providing an additional battery, electric lights, and personnel for

guns and lights for putting in force an Examination Service at Barrow.

Initial Cost.

Approximate Annual Recurrent Expenditure.

£

£

A battery 2-6-inch Mark VII

9,000

.*

Land for battery

Equipment for battery

11,380

Installation of electric lights (works and equipment) R.G.A. and R.G.A. (T.) personnel required to man the

5,700

battery

2,500

R.E. and R.E. (T.) personnel

1,200

£26,080

£8,700

APPENDIX IV.

MEMORANDUM BY THE NAVAL MEMBERS OF THE HOME PORTS DEFENCE

COMMITTEE.

Necessity of an Examination Service at Barrow.

IN December 1909 the Admiralty referred to the Home Ports Defence Committee the question of the defence of Barrow against attack by blockers.

The Home Ports Defence Committee at that time came to the conclusion that “in "view of the fact that the immense resources of Messrs. Vickers, Son, and Maxim would "be at hand to effect a clearance, and these could be supplemented by Government aid "if naval interests were compromised, the utmost risk in the case of the channel being "blocked is that the departure of a battleship, the building or repair of which had just “been completed, might be delayed pending the removal of the obstruction.

The Home Ports Defence Committee are of opinion that this risk is not of “sufficient gravity to justify the provision of additional fixed defences."

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